Orthodontic implant

ABSTRACT

Implant with fastening means ( 2 ) to be fixed to the bone of a person&#39;s upper jaw ( 5 ) or lower jaw ( 30 ), with a mounting element ( 3 ) for mounting orthodontic appliances, whereby said mounting element ( 3 ) is connected to fastening means ( 2 ) by means of a connecting piece ( 4 ) formed by a rod with a circular section or an elliptic section, which is adapted to extend through the person&#39;s gum surrounding the corresponding bone to which said fastening means ( 2 ) are intended to be fixed, whereby said fastening means ( 2 ) are formed of an osteosynthesis plate which is provided with several recesses ( 6,7,8,9 ) through which fit screws ( 10,11,12,13 ) for fixing the implant to the bone of said upper or lower jaw, wherein said connecting piece ( 4 ) forms an extension of the osteosynthesis plate.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 10/478,000, filed Nov. 17, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.7,329,121, issued Feb. 12, 2008, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The present invention concerns an orthodontic implant which makes itpossible to gradually move a person's teeth showing an incorrectimplantation into an adjusted position by exerting an almost continuouspressure force or tensile force on these teeth.

The means used according to the present state of the art for thusadjusting the position of a person's teeth comprise different sorts ofbraces which can be placed in an either or not removable manner in aperson's mouth. For some persons, what is called an outer brace ismoreover required, which exerts an additional force on the person'steeth or on the upper or lower jaw, for example via the neck.

Such braces are particularly unpleasant to wear and they do not alwaysmake it possible to obtain a precise, reproducible distribution of poweron the person's teeth or jaw.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,291 of De Vincenzo discloses an implantwith a flat base that has to be fixed to the jawbone and a connectingpiece that is extending perpendicular to this base. The device of DeVincenzo has to be positioned between or at least in the neighbourhoodof the roots of the teeth. Accordingly, these roots may be damaged suchthat there is always a risk that these teeth are damaged and will belost.

The invention aims to remedy these disadvantages by proposing anorthodontic implant which makes it possible to change the position of aperson's teeth in a simple and precise manner. When using an implantaccording to the invention, the use of an outer brace is no longerrequired, and remarkably good results are obtained. Moreover the rootsof the teeth cannot be damaged by the use of the implant, according tothe invention.

To this aim, the orthodontic implant according to the invention hasfastening means to be fixed to the bone of a person's upper jaw or lowerjaw, and it further comprises a mounting element for mountingorthodontic appliances, whereby said mounting element is connected tothe above-mentioned fastening means by means of a connecting piece whichmust extend through the gum surrounding the corresponding bone.

The connecting piece has a circular section or an elliptic section andforms an extension of the fastening means, whereby the longitudinal axisof this connecting piece is, in an advantageous manner, a tangent to aplate that is forming the fastening means. The fastening means arepreferably formed of an osteosynthesis plate which is provided withseveral recesses through which fit, for example, screws for fixing theimplant to the bone of said upper or lower jaw and whereby saidconnecting piece forms an extension of the osteosynthesis plate.

Practically, said mounting element contains at least one bore hole whichis provided with thread co-operating with a bolt which makes it possibleto fix said appliances to the implant.

Preferably, at least some of said recesses provided in theosteosynthesis plate successively extend according to a longitudinaldirection of said connecting piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said connecting piece presents at least a first bend, thisfirst bend forming a support for the connecting piece against thejawbone when the implant is fixed to this jawbone.

Further, a second bend in the connecting piece can be provided. Thissecond bend is extending in a direction opposite to said first bend andprovided between this first bend and said recesses such that when theimplant is fixed to the jawbone a free space is maintained between thissecond bend and the jawbone.

According to a further embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said mounting element has at least one recess in which acorresponding coupling element of said appliances is to be mounted.

According to a special embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said connecting piece is bent in order to make sure that thelongitudinal axis of said recess extends almost parallel to the lateralsurfaces of the teeth situated in the jaw upon which said implant mustbe fixed.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said fastening means are formed of a plate which is providedwith one or several recesses through which screws fit for fixing theimplant to the bone of said upper or lower jaw.

In an advantageous manner, the above-mentioned mounting element is atleast partially spherical.

According to an interesting embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, the above-mentioned connecting piece has a cross section withround angles, or a circular or elliptic cross section.

The invention is also relating to a method for fixing said implant to ajawbone, wherein an incision is made in a person's gum and wherein thefastening means are fixed to the underlying jawbone at a position thatis at least partly covered by movable mucosa whereby the implant ispositioned such that the connecting piece is piercing the gum in theneighbourhood of the teeth at a position of the jawbone that is coveredby attached gingiva. The gum around the connecting piece and thefastening means is sutured after fixing the fastening means such thatthe mounting element protrudes in the oral cavity.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will become clearfrom the following description of a few specific embodiments of theimplant according to the invention; this description is given as anexample only and does not restrict the scope of the claimed protectionin any way; the reference figures used hereafter refer to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of the implant according tothe invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a skull where the implant accordingto the invention is fixed to the upper jaw.

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of an upper jaw onto which the implantaccording to the invention is attached.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a skull where the implant accordingto the invention is fixed to the lower jaw.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of part of an upper jaw provided withthe implant according to the invention, with orthodontic appliances.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of part of an upper jaw provided withthe implant according to the invention, with different orthodonticappliances.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of part of a lower jaw which is providedwith an orthodontic implant according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an implant according to aninteresting embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the implant from FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an implant according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the implant from FIG. 10.

In the different drawings, the same reference figures refer to identicalor analogous elements.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view in perspective of an implant according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of the implant from FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic lateral view in perspective of the implant fromFIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross section of a lower jaw with the implantrepresented in FIGS. 12 to 13.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross section of an upper jaw with an implantaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 17 a to 17 e represent successive steps in a method, according tothe invention for fixing an implant, according to the invention, to ajawbone

The invention in general concerns an orthodontic implant which makes itpossible to connect orthodontic appliances, such as for example fixedbraces, to the bone of a person's upper or lower jaw and to a method forfixing such an implant to the jawbone.

Fixed braces are known as such. With such braces, what are calledbrackets are fixed to the teeth. These brackets are mutually connectedvia a metal wire which makes it possible to exert an almost continuousforce on the brackets so as to move certain teeth gradually into anadjusted position.

The implant according to the invention is connected to this wire, or toone or several brackets, via a coupling element so as to exert asuitable force in order to adjust the position of the correspondingteeth.

FIG. 1 represents a specific embodiment of an orthodontic implantaccording to the invention. This implant 1 has fastening means 2 to befixed to the bone of an upper or lower jaw and a mounting element 3 forconnecting orthodontic appliances to the implant 1.

The fastening means 2 and the mounting element 3 are connected to oneanother via a connecting piece in the shape of a rod 4 with a circularcross section.

This implant 1 is fixed to the bone of a person's upper jaw 5 by meansof the above-mentioned fastening means 2, as is represented in FIGS. 2and 3.

Thus, the fastening means 2 have a T-shaped osteosynthesis plate withfour circular recesses 6, 7, 8 and 9. Through these recesses fitcorresponding screws 10, 11, 12 and 13 for fixing the fastening means 2tight to the bone of the jaw 5.

As is clearly represented in FIG. 3, the fastening means 2 make itpossible to fix the implant 1 to the lower side of the bone connectingthe upper jaw 5 to what is called the zygoma. To this end, saidosteosynthesis plate is preferably slightly bent.

Said rod 4, forming the connecting piece between the fastening means 2and the mounting element 3, extends through the gum surrounding thejawbone 5, such that the mounting element 3 is situated in the oralcavity between the jawbone and the cheek. For clarity's sake, the gum isnot represented in the FIGS. 2 to 7.

In order to obtain a tight connection between the rod 4 and the gum, andin order to make sure that the latter does not get irritated by the rod4, it has a cross section with round edges, and this section ispreferably circular. According to an advantageous embodiment, the rod 4has a smaller diameter than the mounting element 3.

In an advantageous manner, the mounting element 3 is made spherical ordrop-shaped at least on the side of the rod 4. As this has for a resultthat there are no sharp edges which could get into contact with thelips, the cheeks or the gum, the formation of wounds therein is avoided.Preferably, however, the entire mounting element 3 is made spherical ordrop-shaped.

Via this mounting element 3, said orthodontic appliances are fixed tothe implant. FIG. 5 thus schematically represents an implant 1 which isconnected via a coupling element, in particular a tie-bar 14, to a fixedbrace containing a number of brackets 15 which are each fixed to a tooth20 and which are connected to a metal wire 16 in a manner known as such.

The tie-bar 14 is fixed to the mounting element 3 of the implant 1 viaone end. To this end, the mounting element 3 has a longitudinal,preferably cylindrical recess 17 in which said far end of the tie-bar 14fits.

In order to fix the tie-bar 14 tight to the mounting element 3, thelatter is provided with a cylindrical bore hole 18 in which is provideda thread co-operating with a bolt 22. The axis 19 of the bore hole 18extends almost perpendicular to the axis 21 of the recess 17 andintersects the latter, such that, by means of said bolt 22, the tie-bar14 can be clamped in said recess 17.

In order to make sure that the tie-bar 14 cannot rotate in relation toits axis, it will preferably have a cross section in the shape of aright-angled quadrangle. Thus, the bolt 22 pushes with its flat endagainst a lateral surface of the tie-bar 14 which is mounted in thecylindrical recess 17, and it is thus clamped tight in the latter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said rod 4 is bent, so that the axis 21 of said recess 17extends almost parallel to the lateral surfaces of the teeth 20 situatedin the jaw upon which the implant 1 is fixed.

Thus, the axis 21 of this recess 17 extends for example at an anglebetween some 60° and 150° in relation to the fastening means 2.

According to a preferred embodiment of the implant according to theinvention, said tie-bar 14 has an eye at its far end which is to befixed in said recess 17, such that the bolt 22 situated in the bore hole18 extends through this eye, as a result of which the tie-bar 14 isfixed tight to the mounting element 3.

The cross section of the tie-bar 14, as well as that of the recess 17,can have all sorts of shapes and can for example be circular orhexagonal.

The free end of the tie-bar 14 has a hook 23 through which said metalwire 16 extends. The hook 23 presses against a round disc 24 which iscoaxial to said wire 16 and which can move according to the longitudinaldirection of the latter.

Further, a spiral compression spring 25 is provided which is coaxial tosaid metal wire 16 as well, and which pushes against said disc 24 on theone hand, and against a tubular element 26 of a bracket 15 on the otherhand. In this manner, an almost continuous pressure force is exerted viathe implant 1 on the corresponding tooth 20, to which the concernedbracket is attached.

FIG. 6 represents another application of the implant according to theinvention, whereby a tensile force is exerted on a tooth 20. A tie-bar14 is hereby fixed in said recess 17 of the mounting element 3. On thefree end 27 of this tie-bar 14 is attached a spiral draw spring 28 whichis connected to a tension member 29 cooperating with a bracket 15 whichis fixed to a tooth 20. Thus, via the implant 1 is exerted a tensileforce on this tooth 20 which makes sure that the position of the latteris gradually adjusted.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the spiral spring 28 can forexample be connected directly to the mounting element 3, and the use ofa tie-bar is not required.

Possibly, the spiral spring 28 can be replaced by another elementexerting a tensile force, such as for example a rubber band.

Naturally, the implant according to the invention is preferably made ofa bio-compatible material, such as for example titanium.

In the accompanying figures, the orthodontic implant 1 is attached tothe jaw near a person's rear molars. However, it is also possible to fixit to other places on the jaw bone. To this end, the shape of saidosteosynthesis plate will possibly have to be adjusted to the boneconcerned, and it may be necessary to change the length and shape of theabove-mentioned connecting piece correspondingly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the orthodontic implantaccording to the invention when fixed to the lower jaw. In this case,the shape of said osteosynthesis plate is adjusted such that it can beconnected to the bone of the lower jaw where it is to be mounted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a lower jaw 30 whereby theorthodontic implant according to the invention is attached to the jawbone in order to raise a molar 31 from the represented toppled position.This implant has fastening means 2 in the shape of an osteosynthesisplate with three recesses through which a screw 10, 11 and 12 extendseach time in order to fix the implant 1 to the lower jaw 30. Further, aconnecting rod 4 extends up to a spherical mounting element 3. Thelatter is represented as a cross section and has a bore hole 18 openinginto a cylindrical recess 17 which extends almost crosswise to said borehole 18. Thus, a coupling element can be fixed in the recess 17 via abolt 22 provided in the bore hole. This coupling element consists of atie-bar 14 and is mounted in said recess 17 with one far end, whereasthe other far end is equipped with a spiral spring 32.

The central axis of the recess of the mounting element 3 preferablyextends almost parallel to the fastening means 2 and to the lateralsurfaces of the teeth 20 of the lower jaw 30.

The tie-bar 14 has a flat side on the far end situated in the recess 17,whereby the bolt 22 pushes against this side, such that the tie-bar 14is fixed in the mounting element 3. On the far end situated in therecess 17, the tie-bar 14 preferably has four flat sides, and,consequently, it has a quadrangular cross section allowing us to fix itin different positions in the mounting element 14.

The spiral spring 32 is further connected to a relatively rigid wire 16cooperating with the latter via a bracket 15 which is attached to themolar 31 to be raised. Thus, the spiral spring 32 exerts an almostcontinuous pressure force on the molar 31, and it is gradually raised inrelation to the lower jaw 30.

FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically represent a very interesting embodiment ofthe implant according to the invention. This embodiment differs amongothers from the above-described embodiments in that the mounting element3 is cylindrical, whereby it is coaxial to the rod 4 which is bent overan angle of for example 90°.

This mounting element 3 has two cylindrical recesses 17 and 33 whichextend crosswise to the longitudinal axis 34 thereof, and which arealmost perpendicular in relation to one another. Further, the mountingelement 3 is provided with a threaded bore hole 18 which is coaxial tothe mounting element 3, and which extends between said recesses 17 and33 and the lateral surface 35 of the mounting element 3 situatedopposite to said rod 4. Thus, it is possible to fix orthodonticappliances, such as a tie-bar, in one of the recesses 17 or 33 by meansof a bolt which is screwed in the bore hole 18.

Such a mounting element 3 makes it possible, among others, to fixorthodontic appliances in different directions, depending on the usedrecess 17 or 33. Moreover, this mounting element 3 offers a majoradvantage in that said bore hole 18 extends substantially cross-wise tothe lateral surfaces of the teeth, after the implant has been fixed to ajaw, such that this bore hole 18 is easily accessible in the oral cavityfor screwing a bolt in it.

Further, the implant according to this embodiment of the invention hasfastening means 2 in the shape of an osteosynthesis plate with threecircular recesses 6, 7 and 8 for fixing the implant to a person's upperor lower jaw by means of corresponding screws.

In an advantageous manner, the fastening means 2 are made of a resorbentmaterial, in particular such as for example a resorbent polymercontaining L-lactide, D-lactide and Glycolide in a molecular ratio of85/5/10, whereas the mounting element 3 and the rod 4 are made forexample of titanium.

This rod 4 is then connected to the fastening means 2 by means of ascrewed joint, for example. After the teeth have been put into anadjusted position, the rod 4 with the mounting element 3 is detachedfrom the fastening means 2, for example by loosening the rod 4, and itis thus removed. It is not required then, to remove the fastening means2, since they have been entirely resorbed after for example one to twoyears.

In a very advantageous manner, apart from the fastening means 2, alsothe mounting element 3 and the rod 4 are made of a resorbent material.

In a manner which is also very advantageous, the fastening means 2, themounting element 3 and the rod 4 are made in one piece, and they aremade for example of a resorbent material. After the teeth have been putinto an adjusted position, the rod 4 with the mounting element 3 isdetached from the fastening means 2, for example by breaking off the rod4 or by cutting it through, and it is thus removed.

The embodiment of the implant according to the invention, as isrepresented in FIGS. 10 and 11, differs from the preceding embodiment inthat the rod 4 is not bent. This rod 4 is made such that it can be bentin the required position by heating it, for example. Further, thecircular recesses 6, 7 and 8, which are provided in the osteosynthesisplate 2, extend according to the longitudinal axis of the rod 4 whichcoincides with the rod 34 of the mounting element 3.

It is clear that, according to the invention, the embodiment of theimplant as represented in FIGS. 8 and 9, can also be made with a rod 4which is not bent, such as in the embodiment of the implant asrepresented in FIGS. 10 and 11.

It is also clear that, in order to avoid wounds being formed in the oralcavity, the mounting element 3 has round angles.

The placing of the implant according to the invention on the lower orupper jaw only requires a small surgical treatment. A small incision 36is made in the gum 37 under local anaesthesia on the spot where theimplant 1 has to extend through the gum as represented in FIGS. 17 a and17 b. The implant 1 is hold on its desired position and boreholes aremade through the recesses 6 and 7 of the implant 1 into the bone 5 ofthe jaw as shown schematically in FIG. 17 c. Next, the fastening means 2are fixed to the underlying jaw bone 5 by means of screws 10 and 11 anda screwdriver as represented in FIG. 17 d. As shown in FIG. 17 e, thegum 37 around the connecting piece 4 is then sutured, such that theconnecting piece 4 pierces the gum 37 and the mounting element 3protrudes in the oral cavity. The orthodontic appliances are preferablyonly connected to this mounting element 3 after the gum 37 has healedand the screws with which the implant has been fixed have sufficientlyknitted together with the bone.

According to the invention, said incision is made in a person's gum 37is extending from the attached gingiva 38 in the neighbourhood of theteeth 39 up to a part of the movable mucosa 40, or the so-calledalveolar mucosa. The fastening means 2 of the implant 1 are fixed to theunderlying jawbone 5 at a position that is at least partly covered bymovable mucosa 40 whereby the implant is positioned such that theconnecting piece 4 is piercing the gum 37 in the neighbourhood of theteeth 39 at a position of the jawbone 5 that is covered by attachedgingiva 38. This is schematically represented in FIG. 15. The fasteningmeans 2 are thus positioned beneath the roots 41 of the teeth 39 of thelower jaw or above the teeth 39 of the upper jaw as can be clearly seenfrom the FIGS. 15 and 16.

In this way it is possible to provide a firm anchoring of the implantwithout incurring the risk that the roots 41 of the teeth 39 aredamaged.

In a preferred embodiment of the implant, according the invention, saidconnecting piece 4 presents at least a first bend 42, this first bend 42forming a support 43 for the connecting piece against the surface of thejawbone 5 when the implant 1 is fixed to this jawbone. Such an implantis represented in FIGS. 12 to 14. FIGS. 15 and 16 are showing such animplant that is fixed to, respectively, the lower or the upper jaw of aperson.

Further, the implant advantageously has a second bend 44 in a directionopposite to said first bend 42. This second bend 44 is provided betweenthe first bend 42 and said recesses 6,7 and 8 of the fastening means.When the implant is thus fixed to the jawbone a free space 45 ismaintained between this second bend 44 and the jawbone 5.

During fixing of the fastening means to the bone of the jaw these meansare gradually tightened against the jawbone by means of screws wherebysimultaneously said first bend 42 is moved towards said jawbone untilthe bend 42 is firmly supported by the jawbone. Preferably, said secondbend 44 is somewhat elastically extended such that the first bend 42 isapplied with a pressing force against the jawbone.

In this way the connecting piece 4 remains stable when it is loadedthrough the mounting element 3 by orthodontic appliances. The presenceof a support 43 between the connecting piece 4 and the jawbone preventsthat the connecting piece is moving somewhat due to, for example, itslimited elasticity.

Further, the mounting element 3 of the implant represented in the FIGS.12 to 15 is different from the mounting element of the previousdescribed implants, according to the invention.

As is shown in the FIGS. 12 to 15, the mounting element 3 comprises atube 46 having a rectangular inner section 47. This tube 46 is extendingperpendicular to the axis of bar forming the connecting piece 4. Anorthodontic wire with, for example, a rectangular section can beinserted and fixed into this tube 46.

Further a hook 48 is fixed to the exterior wall of the tube 46 forattaching orthodontic appliances by means of, for example, a rubberband. The free end of this hook 48 is provided with a spherical element49 having a diameter that is larger than the section of the hook 48.

The invention is by no means restricted to the above-describedembodiments of the orthodontic implant according to the inventionrepresented in the accompanying drawings. On the contrary, severalvariants are possible within the scope of the present invention, as faras the dimensions and shapes of the implant are concerned as well as theorthodontic appliances attached to it.

For example, these orthodontic appliances are not restricted to thebrackets 15, the metal wire 16, the tension member 29 and the spiralsprings 25, 28 and 32 described above, but they also comprise all theother usual orthodontic elements which can be placed in the oral cavityin order to adjust the position of certain teeth.

Moreover, the implant cannot only be connected to a brace with brackets,it can also work in conjunction with any type of braces.

Although a mounting element 3 has been described having a recess 17working in conjunction with a bolt 22 for fixing a tie-bar 14 or otherorthodontic appliances, several variants are possible. Thus, the tie-bar14 can for example be fixed to the mounting element by means of gluingor via a clamped joint.

It is also possible for the mounting element 3 to be mounted directly tothe metal wire 16, or to other orthodontic appliances, in order to avoidthe use of a tie-bar 14.

In certain cases, it may be interesting to provide several recesses 17in one and the same mounting element 3, such that several coupling rods14 can be fixed to one and the same implant 1.

Further, the shape of the fastening means 2 is not restricted, ofcourse, to an osteosynthesis plate with four recesses, but it can haveall sorts of shapes, and possibly more or less recesses andcorresponding screws. Thus, the fastening means 2 can for example beformed of a small threaded rod which is screwed directly in the jawbone.

1. Implant with fastening means (2) to be fixed to the bone of aperson's upper jaw (5) or lower jaw (30), comprising a mounting element(3) for mounting orthodontic appliances, whereby said mounting element(3) is connected to fastening means (2) by means of a connecting piece(4) formed by a rod with a circular section or an elliptic section,which is adapted to extend through the person's gum surrounding thecorresponding bone to which said fastening means (2) are intended to befixed, whereby said fastening means (2) are formed of an osteosynthesisplate which is provided with several recesses (6,7,8,9) through whichfit screws (10,11,12,13) for fixing the implant to the bone of saidupper or lower jaw, wherein said connecting piece (4) forms an extensionof the osteosynthesis plate.
 2. Implant according to claim 1, whereinthe implant is adapted to be fixed to the lower side of the boneconnecting the person's upper jaw to the zygoma such that the mountingelement is situated in the person's oral cavity between the jawbone andthe cheek.
 3. Implant according to claim 2, wherein said osteosynthesisplate is bent to fit the lower side of the bone connecting the upper jawto the zygoma.
 4. Implant according to claim 1, wherein said recesses(6,7,8,9) which are provided in the osteosynthesis plate successivelyextend according to a longitudinal direction of said rod forming theconnecting piece (4).
 5. Implant according to claim 1, wherein thefastening means (2), the mounting element (3) and said rod forming theconnecting piece (4) are made of in one piece and are milled out of onepiece of metal.
 6. Implant according to claim 1, wherein said connectingpiece presents at least a first bend, this first bend forming a supportfor the connecting piece against the jawbone when the implant is fixedto this jawbone.
 7. Implant according to claim 6, wherein a second bendin a direction opposite to said first bend is provided between thisfirst bend and said recesses (6,7,8,9) such that when the implant isfixed to the jawbone a free space is maintained between this second bendand the jawbone.
 8. Implant according to claim 1, wherein said mountingelement has a hook for fixing orthodontic appliances.
 9. Implantaccording to claim 8, wherein a free end of said hook is provided with aspherical element having a diameter that is larger than the section ofthe hook.
 10. Implant according to claim 1, wherein it is made oftitanium or of a titanium alloy.
 11. Method for fixing an implant to ajawbone, wherein this implant has fastening means (2) for fixing theimplant to the jawbone (5), a mounting element (3) for mountingorthodontic appliances, a connecting piece formed by a rod with acircular or elliptic section adapted to extend through the person's gum,this piece connecting said mounting element (3) to said fastening means(2), wherein an incision is made in a person's gum and wherein thefastening means are fixed to the underlying jawbone at a position thatis at least partly covered by movable mucosa whereby the implant ispositioned such that the connecting piece is piercing the gum in theneighbourhood of the teeth at a position of the jawbone that is coveredby attached gingiva, wherein the gum around the connecting piece and thefastening means is sutured after fixing the fastening means such thatthe mounting element protrudes in the oral cavity.
 12. Method accordingto claim 11, wherein said fastening means are fixed to the jawbone bymeans of screws.
 13. Method according to claim 11, wherein during fixingof the fastening means these are gradually tightened against the jawboneby means of screws whereby simultaneously a bend present in saidconnecting piece is moved towards said jawbone until the bend is firmlysupported by the jawbone.
 14. Method according to claim 13, wherein afree space is maintained between the connecting piece and the jawbone inthe area of the implant situated between said bend and the fasteningmeans.
 15. Method for gradually moving a person's teeth into an adjustedposition by exerting an almost continuous pressure force or tensileforce on these teeth by means of an implant, wherein this implant isfixed to the jawbone, this implant having fastening means (2) for fixingthe implant to the jawbone, a mounting element (3) for mountingorthodontic appliances, a connecting piece formed by a rod with acircular or elliptic section adapted to extend through the person's gum,this piece connecting said mounting element (3) to said fastening means(2) and forming an extension of the fastening means, wherein an incisionis made in a person's gum and wherein the fastening means are fixed tothe underlying jawbone at a position that is at least partly covered bymovable mucosa, whereby the connecting piece is piercing the gum in theneighbourhood of the teeth at a position of the jawbone that is coveredby attached gingiva, wherein the gum around the connecting piece and thefastening means is sutured after fixing the fastening means such thatthe mounting element protrudes in the oral cavity, and whereinorthodontic appliances fixed to at least some teeth are connected to themounting element.